¹⁸ When the spies went into Micah’s house and took the [carved] image, the ·holy vest [ephod], the household idols, and the ·statue [cast-metal image], the priest asked them, “What are you doing?”

¹⁹ They answered, “Be quiet! ·Don’t say a word [^LPut your hand over your mouth]. Come with us and be our father [^Cmeaning an advisor or counselor; 17:10; Gen. 45:8] and priest. Is it better for you to be a priest for one man’s house or for a tribe and ·family group [clan] in Israel?” ²⁰ This ·made the priest happy [^Lpleased the heart of the priest]. So he took the ·holy vest [ephod], the household idols [17:5], and the ·idol [carved image] and went with the ·Danites [people].